PSLV-C1

PSLV-C1
Model of the PSLV rocket
Mission typeDeployment of one satellite
OperatorISRO
WebsiteISRO website
Mission duration1090.52 seconds
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftPolar Satellite Launch Vehicle
Spacecraft typeLaunch vehicle
ManufacturerISRO
Launch mass294,000 kg (648,000 lb)
Payload mass1,250 kg (2,760 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date29 September 1997, 04:47 UTC
RocketPSLV
Launch siteSriharikota Launching Range
ContractorISRO
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeSun-synchronous orbit
Inclination98.7°
Payload
IRS-1D

PSLV-C1 was the overall fourth mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) program by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The vehicle carried IRS-1D satellite which was deployed in the Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). This was India's first launch vehicle built without Russian assistance and PSLV's first operational flight placed IRS-1D into a polar orbit. However, it could not place the satellite in the desired circular orbit but in an elliptical orbit due to a leak of helium gas from one of the components. The mission was termed partial failure since the satellite could not be placed at the desired altitude.